
This programme provides professional training that leads to eligibility for registration as a counselling psychologist with the HCPC and chartered status with the BPS.
Start Date:
September 2023
Duration:
3 years (full-time)
6 years (part-time)
Degree Type:
PsychD
Number of credits:
PsychD: 120 credits at Level 7 plus 420 credits at Level 8 (Doctoral)
School:
Entry Requirements
Specific entry requirements
View specific entry requirements
Please read our FAQ page prior to applying.
Application deadline 28th February 2023
University of Roehampton London is ranked top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2022)
Why this course
The PsychD programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
You will be taught by a team of experienced practitioners and trainers, including leading international figures in the field.
The programme offers a variety of opportunities to undertake clinical placements and research projects including at Roehampton's CREST clinic.
The programme provides high levels of support for trainees' clinical and research development and an emphasis on employability.
Course and Module Details
Overview
This programme provides professional training that leads to eligibility for registration as a counselling psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).


This programme is at the leading edge of international developments in counselling psychology practice, research and theory; and brings together contemporary understandings from person-centred psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural models of therapy. There is a strong emphasis on your identity and employability as a practitioner psychologist, including skills in assessment and formulation, leadership, service evaluation, psychological testing, qualitative and quantitative research methods. The programme attracts a diverse group of trainees who have gained relevant experience in fields such as counselling and psychotherapy, research and academia, and the NHS, and who are passionate about becoming counselling psychologists.
The course is based on a pluralistic relational philosophy that values diversity, and promotes individual empowerment and social change. This means that we respect and value a wide range of approaches to psychological intervention and research, view relationships as central to wellbeing, and seek to enable trainees to make a positive difference both at an individual and social level through their clinical and research work.
You will join a vibrant community of practitioners and researchers, who will help you achieve your goals, and enable you to make a valuable contribution to the field of counselling psychology.
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The main round of interviews for the programme will take place in Spring 2023. To be considered for these interviews, applicants should apply as soon as possible.
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Before submitting an application all candidates must read the full Programme Outline and entry requirements - full-time here, part-time here.
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Please read our FAQ page prior to applying.
- To apply for this programme, applicants should click on the 'apply for this course' link and submit an online application via the 'Postgraduate taught programmes' tab.
In years one and two as a trainee, you will focus on gaining clinical experience working in person-centred and psychodynamic models of therapy respectively. In year three, you will have the option of gaining experience working in a cognitive-behavioural, integrative or pluralistic model. By the end of the programme, you will have completed a minimum requirement of 450 supervised client hours in a range of placement settings.
Starting in your second year, you will work towards the production of a doctoral portfolio to showcase and integrate your learning as a counselling psychologist, across both professional practice and research domains. The portfolio contains elements, such as research papers, that you will be encouraged to submit for publication, thus further enhancing your professional contribution and employability.
During your training, you will develop key transferable skills as a practitioner psychologist, in research, psychological testing, service evaluation, team working and leadership. Your development will be closely supported and monitored throughout the programme, using formative and summative assessment, involving clinical tutors and research supervisors.
Modules
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Indicative Timetable
Part-time pathway indicative time commitment 20-30 hours per week:
- 0.5 - 1 day per week - attending classes at University
- 1 day per week - attending practice placements and supervision
- 1 day per week - study time, completing personal therapy, assignments and research project
Full-time pathway indicative time commitment 40 hours per week:
- 1 - 2 days per week - attending classes at University
- 1-2 days per week - attending practice placements and supervision
- 1 day per week - study time, completing personal therapy, assignments and research project
Tuition fees and funding
September 2023 entry tuition fees
Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.
2023/24 entry funding
Career Options
As an HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist you will be qualified to work in a range of settings, including the NHS, the voluntary sector and private practice. As well as providing psychotherapeutic interventions, your work may include providing clinical supervision, service management, teaching, research and consultancy. Click here to find out more about the scope of counselling psychology and about careers on the BPS website.
How to apply
Postgraduate programmes
You can now apply for any programme for any entry point in 2023.
All postgraduate taught applications can be made via our online application form.
- Check our application deadlines
- View our entry requirements for postgraduate programmes
- View our general entry criteria and application FAQs below
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.
- See our Finance pages for more details
Postgraduate application process FAQs
How do I apply?
To apply, you need to complete our online application form.
Do I need to complete all of my online application at once?
No, you can save and revisit your application form and can contact us directly at any time if you need advice or assistance.
What are the entry criteria and fees?
We have general entry requirements for postgraduate courses. Many of our courses also have specific entry requirements. You can find details of these, and the fees for individual courses, on our postgraduate course pages.
What is the deadline for postgraduate applications?
If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has home fee status, then you can apply close to the start of the course of study. However, if you have international fee status and require a Tier 4 Visa, then you will normally need to apply much earlier. Please see our application deadlines for postgraduate study.
We encourage all students to apply as early as possible, as some programmes have limited numbers.
Does Roehampton offer financial support for postgraduates?
Yes, we offer a range of scholarships, alongside support on managing your finances while you are with us.
You can find more information on our postgraduate home and postgraduate international financial support pages. There are also other sources of external funding for international students available.
Do you offer student accommodation for postgraduates?
Yes, we have a wide range of high quality and competitively priced on-campus student residences. We are able to offer quiet rooms and can adjust for those with specific access needs.
Find out more on our accommodation pages.
More Information
- You can find out more information about the programme on our FAQ page.
- See a short video about counselling psychology featuring the University of Roehampton's Mick Cooper.
- Read a blog about the counselling psychology profession in an interview with Dr Jasmine Childs-Fegredo.
- Read a blog by final year student, Starie Naomi Uwins, on her time at Roehampton and beginning her career as a counselling psychologist.
Need help before you apply?
Course Facilities
Our Students
“The chance to study under some of the best practitioners in this field made the Roehampton course stand out from others”.
Anna Turner, PsychD Counselling Psychology

Our Research
For an overview of the research carried out by psychology academics within the School of Psychology, please visit the departmental research pages.
